NSW Premier Cricket: Luke Dempsey hits 13 sixes - five in one over - in grade century for Parramatta

Sydney cricketer Luke Dempsey scored his last first grade century eight long years ago. Now he’s scored one of the most extraordinary tons ever seen.

Maybe it was the decision to eat breakfast for a change but something inspired this Sydney grade veteran to one of the most extraordinary performances of the NSW Premier Cricket season on the weekend.

On Saturday Sydney schoolteacher Luke Dempsey headed out to the crease for Parramatta in first grade with hopes of a strong performance.

He left it with an astonishing feat that has the grade cricket world abuzz.

Parramatta cricketer Luke Dempsey. Pic: Supplied.

In only his second first grade century ever, Luke Dempsey hit 13 sixes in his 105 off 45 balls - including five in one over.

“To be fair, it was good fun,’’ said the St Agnes Catholic High School at Rooty Hill maths and PE teacher who lives at Lane Cove.

Teammate Nick Bertus took a single off the first ball of the 24th over then Dempsey hit the last five each for six at the Old Kings oval.

“I play my 150th grade game next week so I was probably due something,’’ he said.

“I missed the game before with injury and I’ve been trying to work out if I will play on or give it up.

“Maybe thinking about maybe not playing next year took the stress off me. I haven’t made a decision yet but I’m in the process.

“To be honest it was all a bit of a shock. It happened so fast. It didn’t really sink in until yesterday. It was a bizarre 45 minutes to an hour. I’m still trying to work out what happened.’’

“To be fair, it was good fun’’.

Dempsey’s runs in Parramatta’s bonus point win over the Blacktown Mounties came off 44 legal balls plus a no ball he hit for six and four wides.

The feat had historian Colin Clowes reaching for his history books to come up with the following statistics;

SIXES IN AN OVER

Martin Haywood (6) - 204*. Randwick vs. Petersham-Marrickville, 1993-94.

Kevin Geyer (5) - 162*. Penrith vs. Campbelltown, 2002-03

Percy Neal (5) - 44*. Randwick vs. Glebe 1939-40 (last 5 balls of an 8 ball over).

The big day out marked Dempsey’s first century for Parramatta with his previous highest score 99 sevens years ago - a memory he said still stings.

His only previous first grade century was for the Hawkesbury club eight seasons ago.

NSW PREMIER CRICKET ROUND 14 WRAP AND STANDINGS

The battle for final spots in the NSW Premier Cricket final has intensified with a crucial double century stand by a team just outside the six in round 14.

Josh Clarke and Nicholas Cutlet guided Western Suburbs to a vital win over Mosman to move within a point of the top six overall as the season races towards it finish.

A block busting performance by Clark and opening partner Cutler was what Western Suburbs needed as they chase a spot in the finals

Clarke’s 134 not out second century of the 2021/2022 season at Pratten Park was the 23rd of his career and takes him to 8059 at 39.31.

For this season alone he has notched up 891 runs at 52.41.

Cutler scored 104 for his sixth century in first class cricket as the two put on an opening stand of 216.

It is the third time this duo have shared a double century stand.

Northern Districts lead the pointscore from Mosman, Randwick Petersham, Manly Warringah, St George and Sydney. Western Suburbs on 49 are just a point off the six.

In other round 14 highlights:

#St George cricketer Mark Stoneman was at it again in round 14 with a third century for the season.

It took him to a career total of seven centuries and 585 runs at 83.57 for the season.

#Bankstown’s Daniel Solway scored his second century of the season and the 19th of his career.

His 113 took his figures to 687 runs at 52.84 for the season.

#Manly Warringah bowler Jake Cardin took five wickets in an innings for the second consecutive game. He now has 28 wickets for the season at 13.78.

#Sydney Uni player Liam Robertson took 5-42 against Campbelltown-Camden,